In an interview with L'Equipe, Marseille's new manager, De Zerbi, elaborated on his coaching philosophy and goals. He emphasized that controlling the game will be the team's first principle, both with and without the ball, but having possession will help dominate the game. De Zerbi confidently stated that he has successfully implemented this strategy at several clubs and expects to see the same results at Marseille. He emphasized that both the coaches and players at Marseille should be proud of this and take extra responsibility for it.
De Zerbi expressed his awareness in the face of the Ligue 1 team's strong counter-attacking ability. He admitted that when his team presses for an attack, they must always be on guard against counter-attacks from their opponents, which is the number one threat in the game. However, he does not shy away from this challenge, but sees it as an opportunity to improve his team's defense and overall tactical quality.
De Zerbi showed strong determination when talking about the team's current incomplete squad. He confessed that he expected this situation to last until the end of August before signing the contract, but he had no excuses and demanded that the team must prepare immediately. He emphasized that a club like Marseille requires players and coaches to adapt quickly and take responsibility.
Regarding their goals for the season, De Zerbi said they will be more precise in setting them after the transfer market closes. But the first and most important thing is to make all Marseille supporters - from the owners to the fans - proud and happy. He hopes to achieve this by creating a squad that is united and shares a brain and soul. At the same time, he recognizes that the outside world expects a lot from Marseille, but they are willing to accept these challenges and try to exceed them.
In terms of signing new players, De Zerbi emphasized the importance of character and will. He cites players like Vahey and Greenwood, whose strong will and conviction were key factors in attracting him. In contrast, he decisively gave up on players who were hesitant to move on and moved on to more suitable targets.
In terms of technical criteria, De Zerbi values players' skills, speed, ability to read the game and the spirit to serve the collective. By integrating these strengths, he hoped to make his team more competitive in the game. He also pays special attention to the footwork of goalkeepers and defenders as an integral part of modern soccer.
Regarding the youthfulness of the lineup, De Zerbi said it is a reality. He doesn't mind the age of the players, but values their character and ability more. He cited the example of working with Lallana and Milner, who were almost his own age, when he was at Brighton and praised them as role models for professional players.
Speaking about the reasons for leaving Brighton, De Zerbi said that having different ideas from his boss was the main reason. He emphasized that he loves soccer and his work, but desires freedom more than anything else. After much deliberation, he chose Marseille as the stage for a new challenge. He believes that Marseille offers him the most ideal environment for coaching and looks forward to achieving higher goals here.
On the transition from the Premier League to Ligue 1, De Zerbi said it was not a step back. He looked back on his coaching career, starting in the Italian fifth division and gradually gaining experience in Serie A, Shakhtar Donetsk and the Premier League. He sees coming to Marseille as a new progression and challenge and looks forward to continuing to improve his coaching here.
Finally, De Zerbi expressed his ambition to compete with Paris Saint-Germain. He acknowledged that Paris has achieved great things in recent years, but said that Marseille is also capable of competing with them. He emphasized that it is still in the construction phase, but the future is full of possibilities. He hopes that through his efforts and the unity of the team, Marseille will once again shine on the stage of European football.
